Public Statements

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), co-author of the American Power Act, the Senate's comprehensive energy independence and climate change legislation, today highlighted the findings from three key studies showing the "significant risks" of climate change to the global economy and environment.

"Climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for -- and in many cases is already affecting -- a broad range of human and natural systems," the reports from the National Academies conclude.

"This is yet another wake-up call on the threats of global climate change," said Senator Kerry. "This trio of studies from the National Research Council -- performed at the request of key Congressional Committees -- confirms that climate change poses significant and increasing risks for people and our environment, including ocean acidification, more intense droughts and floods, and a greater threat of sea-level rise to our coastal communities. These studies clearly demonstrate the urgency for Senate action on the American Power Act."

The study on "Limiting the Magnitude of Future Climate Change" concludes that the United States lacks a framework of national goals and policies to coordinate our efforts to address the serious risks of climate change. The study recommends that the US to adopt an economy-wide carbon pricing system, invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and promote the deployment of low-carbon technologies such as carbon capture and storage.